Mechanism for securing and locking the posting board of a mechanized filing cabinet

ABSTRACT

A mechanism suitable for securing and locking the posting board of a mechanized filing cabinet having a position adjustable posting board is disclosed. The posting board is maintained at a desired elevation by a pair of locking rods that normally project outwardly through apertures in the frame of the filing cabinet. When it is desired to change the position of the posting board, a release handle is moved outwardly. Movement of the release handle outwardly moves the locking rods inwardly and allows the posting board to be manually raised or lowered to a different elevation. Release of the handle allows the locking rods to move outwardly and project through apertures adjacent the new position. A key operated locking mechanism prevents the inward movement of the locking rods to prevent the position change of the posting board when desired. In addition, an alternate embodiment of the invention includes, for security purposes, a pair of additional shoot bolts operated by the locking rods. If desired, a combination lock mechanism can be utilized with the mechanism of the invention to further improve security.

United States Patent [1 1 McClellan et al.

[ 51 Sept. 10, 1974 1 1 MECHANISM FOR SECURING AND LOCKING THE POSTING BOARD OF A MECHANIZED FILING CABINET [75] Inventors: Amos E. McClellan; Donald E.

Daugherty, both of Marietta, Ohio [73] Assignee: Sperry Rand Corporation, New

York, NY.

22 Filed: Oct.1l, 1972 21 Appl. No: 296,557

[52] US. Cl 312/219, 70/82, 312/281 [51] Int. Cl. F05b 65/46, E05b 65/44 [58] Field of Search 70/81, 82, 83, 118-120, 70/57, 77-78; 292/41, 96; 312/189, 281, 223, 219

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,130,302 9/1938 Henderson 70/82 3,004,420 10/1961 Pipe 70/118 3,105,727 lO/1963 Anders 312/281 X 3,480,343 11/1969 Kanitz 312/223 3,598,462 8/1971 Kanitz 312/219 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 448,459 5/1949 Italy 292/41 Primary Examiner-Robert L. Wolfe Attorney, Agent, or Fir/r1 -Griffin. Branigan and Butler [5 7] ABSTRACT A mechanism suitable for securing and locking the posting board of a mechanized filing cabinet having a position adjustable posting board is disclosed. The posting board is maintained at a desired elevation by a pair of locking rods that normally project outwardly through apertures in the frame of the filing cabinet. When it is desired to change the position of the posting board, a release handle is moved outwardly. Movement of the release handle outwardly moves the locking rods inwardly and allows the posting board to be manually raised or lowered to a different elevation. Release of the handle allows the locking rods to move outwardly and project through apertures adjacent the new position. A key operated locking mechanism prevents the inward movement of the locking rods to prevent the position change of the posting board when desired. In addition, an alternate embodiment of the invention includes, for security purposes, a pair of additional shoot bolts operated by the locking rods. If desired, a combination lock mechanism can be utilized with the mechanism of the invention to further improve security.

5 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures @PAIENTEU SEP 1 01914 SHEET 1 BF 2 PATENM SEP 019M SHEET 2 IF 2 MECHANISM FOR SECURING AND LOCKING THE POSTING BOARD OF A MECHANIZED FILING CABINET BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention is directed to filing cabinets and more particularly to a mechanism suitable for securing and locking the posting board of a mechanized filing cabinet in predetermined positions.

Mechanized filing cabinets generally include a plurality of trays that move through an orbit of travel when a motor is energized. This movement allows access to the trays via an access opening located in the front of the cabinet. Preferably, the orbit of travel is in a vertical plane and the trays may be moved in either direction, depending upon the location of a particular tray when it is desired to move it to the access opening. Such a filing cabinet normally has a posting board that projects outwardly beneath the access opening. The posting board is movable upwardly and downwardly so that the operator of the filing cabinet can either sit or stand, as desired. In addition, often, the filing cabinet has a vertical sliding door adapted to move downwardly to close the access opening.

As set forth in US. Pat. No. 3,598,462, one of the problems with prior art mechanized filing cabinets is the difficulty of locking the cabinet to prevent unauthorized access to the files contained in the cabinets. While the invention described in US. Pat. No. 3,598,462, provides one type of mechanism for locking the mechanized filing cabinet, and thus preventing access to the files contained in the cabinet, that mechanism is subject to improvement. More specifically, the mechanism described in US. Pat. No. 3,598,462, while providing the desired result, is somewhat complex. Because it is somewhat complex, it is more expensive to manufacture than desired. Further, because it is somewhat complex, it is subject to more frequent breakdowns than is a less complex mechanism. Finally, because it utilizes a rotatable lock mechanism to move relatively long locking bolts outwardly, it is not as easy to operate as is a mechanism that merely requires that a lock be rotated.

Therefore, it is an object to this invention to provide a new and improved mechanism for securing and locking a filing cabinet.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a new and improved mechanism for securing and locking the posting board of a mechanized filing cabinet.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a new and improved mechanism that is relatively uncomplicated, yet securely maintains the posting board of a mechanized filing cabinet in predetermined positions and provides for the locking of the posting board in any predetermined position to prevent the unauthorized movement thereof.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION In accordance with the principles of this invention a mechanism for securing and locking the posting board of a filing cabinet is provided. The mechanism includes a pair of locking rod assemblies that project outwardly beneath the posting board one on either side. The locking rod assemblies have axes which are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the posting board. The assemblies include rods that project outwardly through apertures in the frame of the filing cabinet to maintain the posting board in a predetermined. position. When it is desired to change the position of the posting board, a handle, also located beneath the posting board, is moved outwardly. This action causes the locking rod assemblies to move inwardly. Thereafter, the posting board can be raised or lowered, as desired to a new predetermined position. Release of the handle allows the locking rod assemblies to move outwardly and pass through apertures in the frame of the filing cabinet adjacent to the new" position to maintain the posting board in the new" position.

In accordance with further principles of this invention, a key operated locking mechanism is provided. The key operated locking mechanism coacts with an arm located on one of the locking rod assemblies. When the key operated locking mechanism is in a first position, the locking rod assemblies are free to move inwardly and allow the posting board to be raised and lowered. However, when the key operated locking mechanism is in a second position, the handle cannot move outwardly because the locking rod assemblies are prevented from moving inwardly. Thus, the posting board is locked in position. Moreover, when the posting board is in a predetermined position the rods actuate latch assemblies of the type described in US. Pat.

No. 3,598,462 to lock a sliding door in position and thus prevent entry through the access opening in the cabinet.

In accordance with further principles of this invention, a pair of shoot bolts can be attached to the locking rod assemblies to provide added] security. The shoot bolts are adapted to move inwardly and outwardly as the locking rod assemblies move inwardly and outwardly but pass through apertures in the frame of the mechanized filing cabinet at positions substantially beneath the position of the posting board.

In accordance with still further principles of this invention, a combination lock is also provided to further insure that the locking rod assemblies cannot move in wardly.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art and others, from the foregoing brief summary of the invention, that an uncomplicated mechanism for securing and locking the posting board of a filing cabinet, such as a mechanized filing cabinet, is provided. Because the system is relatively uncomplicated, it is inexpensive to manufacture and maintain. Moreover, because the locking mechanism merely needs to be rotated from one position to another, without applying pressure to other elements, the mechanism of the invention is locked without requiring the application of excessive amounts of force. Further, because the locking rod assemblies maintain the position of the posting board as well as lock the board in position, separate rods to perform these two functions are not required, as is the case with the apparatus described in US. Pat. No. 3,598,462.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The foregoing objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanied drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a pictorial diagram illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of a portion of the invention illustrating the handle in an extended position;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a portion of the invention illustrating the locking mechanism;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an alternate embodiment of the invention which includes shoot bolts to provide additional security; and,

FIG. 5 is a pictorial diagram illustrating the addition of a combination lock mechanism.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS For purposes of clarity, FIG. 1 illustrates only a preferred embodiment of the invention and not the structure of the filing cabinet in which the invention is used. That is, the posting board and other portions of the mechanized filing cabinet with which the invention is used are not illustrated in FIG. 1, even though partially illustrated in the other figures. Rather, reference is hereby made to US. Pat. No. 3,598,462 for a description of a mechanized filing cabinet of the type in which the invention is to be used.

FIG. 1 illustrates right hand and left hand locking rod assemblies 11 and 13, respectively. Each locking rod assembly comprises: a locking rod 15; a crank arm 17; an attachment plate 19; and, an L-shaped end rod 21.

The L-shaped end rods 21 have one end adapted to fit into one of two apertures 23 located in vertical channels 25 illustrated in phantom in FIG. 1. The channels form a portion of the frame of the filing cabinet in which the invention is used.

The other ends of the L-shaped end rods 21 project outwardly beneath the posting board in a horizontal plane. The outwardly projecting ends of the L-shaped end rods 21 are attached by the attachment plates 19 to the outer ends of the locking rods 15. The locking rods 15 are attached by L-shaped brackets 27 to the lower surface of the posting board 29 (FIG. 2). More specifically, four L-shaped brackets 27 are illustrated in FIG. 1. The L-shaped brackets have apertures in one leg. The other legs are attached by any suitable means (such as welding) to the lower surface of the posting board so that the axes of the apertures are aligned. The locking rods 15 each slidably pass through the apertures in two of the Lshaped brackets.

The inner ends of the locking rods 15 are attached in a swivel manner to the crank arms 17. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 2 and hereinafter described, the crank arms 17 are adapted to swivel or rotate with respect to the locking rods 15. The swivel attachment is via a bolt or rivet 31.

The other ends of the crank arms 17 are attached together by a suitable bolt or rivet 33 which allows them to swivel or rotate with respect to one other. The bolt or rivet 33 also attaches the crank arms to the movable element 35 of a handle mechanism 37.

In addition to the movable element 35, the handle mechanism 37 also includes a bracket 39 attached to the lower surface of the posting board 29 by any suitable means, such as welding, and a return spring 41. More specifically, the movable element 35 is generally L-shaped and includes a downwardly projecting handle 43 remote from the point where the movable element is attached to the crank arms 17. The handle 43 is such that it can be pulled in an outward direction as illustrated by the arrow in FIG. 1. This action moves the crank arms and causes the inward movement of the locking rods 15, as hereinafter described. The spring 41 is attached between a post 45 (attached to the lower surface of the movable element 35) and the side of the bracket 39 adjacent to the crank arms 17 so as to provide a force in a direction opposite to the direction of the arrow illustrated in FIG. 1. The bracket 39 is generally box shaped and includes slots through which the movable element 35 slides. The bracket is attached to the lower surface of the lower surface at the posting board 29 by any suitable means, such as welding, for example.

Turning now to a description of the operation of the mechanism illustrated in FIG. 1, the posting board is in any desired position and the L-shaped end rods 21 pass through one set of opposed aligned apertures 23 in the channels 25, as illustrated. The movable element 35 is in a withdrawn position and the crank arms 37 are essentially coaxial. When it is desired to raise or lower the posting board, the handle 43 is pulled outwardly in the direction of the arrow illustrated in FIG. 1. When this action occurs, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the crank arms act to pull the locking rods 15 inwardly, i.e., in the direction of the arrows illustrated in FIG. 2. As the locking rods 15 move inwardly, the L-shaped end rods move out of the apertures 23 in the channels 25 through which they previously passed. The posting board is now free to be manually raised or lowered to the new position. Release of the handle 43 at that position allows the spring 41 to move the locking rods 15 and the L-shaped end rods 21 outwardly into new apertures 23 adjacent to the new position. In FIG. 1, the locking rod assemblies and, thus, the posting board is illustrated in the lower position which allows the operator to sit on a chair. Movement of the posting board to the upper position allows the operator to stand.

FIG. 1 and 3 also illustrate a key operated locking mechanism suitable for preventing the inward movement of the locking rods 15. More specifically, a key 46 and a key operated lock 47 are illustrated. The key operated lock is a conventional cylindrical lock having a housing and a cam or wing-shaped member 49 attached to the locks cylinder. The wings co-act with an L- shaped bracket 51 fixedly attached in a permanent manner to one of the locking rods 15, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3.

When the wing-shaped member 49 has its longitudinal axis at rights angles to the longitudinal axis of the associated locking rod, room is allowed for the L- shaped bracket 51 to move inwardly as the handle 43 is pulled outwardly. This is the unlocked position. In the locked position, the longitudinal axis of the wingshaped member is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the locking rod 15. In this position, as illustrated in FIG. 3, one end of the wing-shaped member impinges on, or is very close to, the upwardly projecting portion of the L-shaped bracket 51. If the handle 43 is now pulled, the L-shaped bracket immediately impinges on the wing-shaped member 49. Because the L-shaped bracket 51 is fixedly attached to the locking rod 15, this impingement prevents the locking rod 15 from moving inwardly. Thus, the heretofore described mechanism cannot be operated in the previously described manner to free the posting board for movement to a new position. That is, the mechanism is now locked against movement until the key 46 is utilized to rotate the cylindrical lock 47 to a position such that the L-shaped bracket 51 can move inward.

It is pointed out that, as with the mechanism described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,598,462, when the posting board is in one predetermined position (preferably the lower position), the L-shaped end rods 21 activate latch assemblies. The latch assemblies are adapted to latch into apertures in a sliding door (not shown) located above the posting board and thus latch the sliding door closed. The sliding door is adapted to prevent access to the files via the access opening in the filing cabinet. Hence, with the sliding door closed and the posting board locked in position access to the filing cabinet is prevented.

While the foregoing structure provides adequate security for most installations, in some situations it may be desirable to provide additional security. The invention provides for the improvement of security by adding shoot bolts to the locking rod mechanism illustrated in FIG. 1. More specifically, FIG. 4 illustrates right and left shoot bolts 55 attached to the mechanism illustrated in FIG. 1 at the points where the locking rods are attached to the crank arms 17. Thus, the shoot bolts are moved inwardly and outwardly as the locking rods are moved inwardly and outwardly. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the shoot bolts 55 project first downwardly and outwardly at an angle with respect to the locking rods 15 until they near the channels adjacent to the sides of the posting board. At this point, the rods again angle so as to project outwardly. The thusly formed tips 53 project into suitable apertures 57 in the frame of the mechanized filing cabinet in which the invention is being used. These apertures may be in the channel 25 or in separate angle bracket 58 attached to a corner post, as desired. In any event, upper and lower apertures 57, corresponding to the upper and lower apertures 23 which receive the L-shaped end rods, are provided. In essence, the shoot bolts 55 essentially provide a duplicate locking mechanism similar to the locking mechanism of the locking rod assemblies, but at a lower elevation. Thus, the shoot bolts provide a double locking capacity without making the mechanism of the invention unduly complex.

The shoot bolts 55 also provide a further function. Specifically, a front panel 60 is located beneath the posting board 29. This panel is normally removable by raising and then withdrawing it. See U.S. Pat. No. 3,598,462. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the shoot bolts prevent this action when the posting board is in the lower position by impinging on angles 59 welded to the front panel 60 and, thus, preventing the raising of the front panel.

FIG. 5 illustrates the addition of a further locking mechanism to further improve security, if desired. This locking mechanism can be used in addition to or as an alternate for the key operated locking mechanism illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3.

The locking mechanism illustrated in FIG. 5 includes a combination lock 61 operated by control dial 63. The control dial is located on the upper surface of the posting board 29 and the lock 61 is located on the lower surface. The lock 61 includes an outwardly and inwardly movable bolt 65. The bolt 65 co-acts with one of the plates 19 modified as illustrated in FIG. 5. More specifically, the plate 19 is modified so that, rather than being flat, it is generally U-shaped (inverted) with outwardly extending arms. The arms are attached to 21 locking rod 15 and an L-shaped end rod 21 in the manner previously described. The bolt 65 of the combination lock 61 is adapted to project outwardly into the U- shaped aperture when the combination lock is locked. When the bolt so projects. as illustrated in FIG. 5, it impinges on the outer side of the U-shaped member and thus prevents the inward movement of the locking rod 15 and the L-shaped end rod 21. When the combination lock 61 is unlocked and the bolt 65 is moved inwardly, these elements are free to move inwardly in the manner previously described.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art and others that the invention provides an uncomplicated mechanism for securely locking a mechanized filing cabinet of the type illustrated. in US. Pat. No. 3,598,462, for example. The locking mechanism, however, is less complicated than the mechanism illustrated and described in that patent. Because it is less complicated, it is less subject to failure. Further, because the mechanism of the invention provides a positive locking action i.e., the rods normally project outwardly, it does not require a separate key operated mechanism to move locking bolts. Rather, the invention merely provides an uncomplicated key operated mechanism to prevent the inward movement of the bolt. Thus, the key operated lock is much easier to operate than is a mechanism of the type described in "the foregoing patent wherein the locking mechanism must move bolts outwardly rather than merely prevent their inward movement. Moreover, a single set of rods accomplishes both the locking and securing functions, rather than two sets of rods.

In addition to providing a secure device, the invention also provides added security by adding additional shoot bolts, as well as the locking bolts, plus a combina tion lock, if desired.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art and others that, while preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Hence, the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

l. A mechanism for securing and locking in position the posting board of a filing cabinet having a position adjustable horizontal posting board, said mechanism comprising:

first and second locking rod assemblies attached to the lower surface of said posting board, each of said locking rod assemblies including a rod slidably movable inwardly and outwardly and adapted to project into apertures in the frame of said filing cabinet when moved outwardly;

control means for controlling said locking rod assemblies to move said rods inwardly and outwardly, said control means including a manually movable handle and first and second crank arms each pivotally attached at one end to said handle and each pivotally attached at the other end to one of said rods, whereby movement of said handle causes movementof both of said locking rod assemblies; and,

locking means having two positions, said locking means in one of said positions allowing said rods to move inwardly when said handle is moved in one direction, and said locking means in the other of said positions engaging one of said locking rod assemblies to prevent inward movement of both said locking rod assemblies when said handle is moved in said one direction.

2. A mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein said handle is rectilinearly slidable and said crank arms and said locking rod assemblies are all axially aligned when said handle is at one extent of travel and said rods project into said apertures; and bias means normally biasing said handle toward said one extent of travel.

3. A mechanism for securing and locking in position the posting board of a filing cabinet as claimed in claim 1 wherein said locking means comprises a bracket attached to one of the slidable rods of said locking rod assemblies and a key operated cylindrical lock mounted in said posting board, said key operated cylindrical lock including a wing-shaped member, said key operated cylindrical lock being mounted in a manner such that said wing-shaped member impinges on said bracket when said wing-shaped member is in a predetermined position, said impingement preventing said bracket and attached locking rod assemblies from moving inwardly.

4. A mechanism for securing and locking in position the posting board ofa filing cabinet as claimed in claim 3 including a pair of shoot bolts, one of said shoot bolts being attached to one of said locking rod assemblies and the other of said shoot bolts being attached to the other of said locking rod assemblies, said shoot bolts projecting downwardly and outwardly with respect to said locking rod assemblies so as to provide a second set of rods that project into apertures in the frame of said filing cabinet to provide added security.

5. A mechanism for securing and locking in position the posting board ofa filing cabinet as claimed in claim 4 including a combination lock assembly attached to said posting board, said combination lock assembly including a bolt that projects outwardly with respect to said combination lock assembly and impinges on a portion of one of said locking rod assemblies so as to prevent movement thereof when in said position. said bolt not interfering with the operation of said locking rod assemblies when withdrawn inwardly. 

1. A mechanism for securing and locking in position the posting board of a filing cabinet having a position adjustable horizontal posting board, said mechanism comprising: first and second locking rod assemblies attached to the lower surface of said posting board, each of said locking rod assemblies including a rod slidably movable inwardly and outwardly and adapted to project into apertures in the frame of said filing cabinet when moved outwardly; control means for controlling said locking rod assemblies to move said rods inwardly and outwardly, said control means including a manually movable handle and first and second crank arms each pivotally attached at one end to said handle and each pivotally attached at the other end to one of said rods, whereby movement of said handle causes movement of both of said locking rod assemblies; and, locking means having two positions, said locking means in one of said positions allowing said rods to move inwardly when said handle is moved in one direction, and said locking means in the other of said positions engaging one of said locking rod assemblies to prevent inward movement of both said locking rod assemblies when said handle is moved in said one direction.
 2. A mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein said handle is rectilinearly slidable and said crank arms and said locking rod assemblies are all axially aligned when said handle is at one extent of travel and said rods project into said apertures; and bias means normally biasing said handle toward said one extent of travel.
 3. A mechanism for securing and locking in position the posting board of a filing cabinet as claimed in claim 1 wherein said locking means comprises a bracket attached to one of the slidable rods of said locking rod assemblies and a key operated cylindrical lock mounted in said posting board, said key operated cylindrical lock including a wing-shaped member, said key operated cylindrical lock being mounted in a manner such that said wing-shaped member impinges on said bracket when said wing-shaped member is in a predetermined position, said impingement preventing said bracket and attached locking rod assemblies from moving inwardly.
 4. A mechanism for securing and locking in position the posting board of a filing cabinet as claimed in claim 3 including a pair of shoot bolts, one of said shoot bolts being attached to one of said locking rod assemblies and the other of said shoot bolts being attached to the other of said locking rod assemblies, said shoot bolts projecting downwardly and outwardly with respect to said locking rod assemblies so as to provide a second set of rods that project into apertures in the frame of said filing cabinet to provide added security.
 5. A mechanism for securing and locking in position the posting board of a filing cabinet as claimed in claim 4 including a combination lock assembly attached to said posting board, said combination lock assembly including a bolt that Projects outwardly with respect to said combination lock assembly and impinges on a portion of one of said locking rod assemblies so as to prevent movement thereof when in said position, said bolt not interfering with the operation of said locking rod assemblies when withdrawn inwardly. 